Disney CEO says no change in ‘Star Wars’ sequel
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Disney CEO Bob Iger says the upcoming “Star Wars” sequel has not been changed due to the death of Carrie Fisher.
Fisher completed filming her role as Princess Leia in “The Last Jedi” before her death following a heart attack in December.
Iger said this week that Fisher “appears throughout” the film and her performance “remains as it was.”
Iger’s remark came as Disney ended speculation that he would retire this year by extending his contract one year to 2019.
Regulators decide against Ford SUV recall
DETROIT —Safety regulators have decided not to seek a recall after investigating complaints that door ajar warning lights won’t turn off on thousands of Ford SUVs.
The probe began last fall of the 2011 to 2013 Edge. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration determined the doors were either opened by passengers or not latched properly.
Staffing firm owner pleads guilty in tax case
The owner of a local staffing firm pleaded guilty this week to charges that he failed to pay $18 million in employment taxes and used the money for ranch payments and personal travel.
Richard Floyd Tatum Jr., 57, owned Associated Marine & Industrial Staffing, an industrial staffing company that supplied temporary workers to clients in Texas and other states. About 1,000 employees worked for the company, including workers assigned to client companies.
Tatum admitted he used the money to make payments on his ranch and to visit Las Vegas, Hawaii and France, according to the Justice Department. Sentencing is scheduled for June 1. Tatum faces up to five years in prison.
Blackstone sells its last stake in SeaWorld
SeaWorld said Friday that its owner, the Blackstone Group, had sold its remaining stake in the theme park operator to Zhonghong Group, a Chinese investment firm, for $449 million.
The sale ends a relationship between Blackstone, a private equity firm, and SeaWorld that dates back to when Blackstone bought AnheuserBusch InBev’s theme parks in 2009.
“Blackfish,” a documentary castigating the treatment of orca whales, eventually dragged down attendance at SeaWorld. Since then, the theme park company has ended in-park whale breeding and announced plans to phase out its orca shows in favor of attractions without live animals.
Inaugural Houston India Conference held
The inaugural Houston India Conference, hosted by the Asia Society Texas Center, took place Friday, marking the first of a series of events to highlight business ties between Houston and India, particularly when it comes to investments in manufacturing.
The event was put together by nonprofit group India House, the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and the Consulate General of India.
Though Houston boasts a sizable Indian community, its business ties with India beyond trade are relatively unknown, Consulate General Anupam Ray said.
The conference aimed to dispel that, Ray said.
Smith, Graham & Co. acquires mortgage firm
Smith, Graham & Co. Investment Advisors has expanded its offerings with the acquisition of the Five Mile Capital Partners’ Residential Mortgage team.
The team, led by managing director Brian Tortorella, has invested more than $850 million in mortgage loan products on behalf of institutional investors such as pension funds over nearly a decade.
Smith Graham is a $6 billion institutional equity and fixed income management firm based in Houston.
Breaded chicken recalled over possible metal
OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma food company is recalling more than 466 tons of breaded chicken because of possible metal in the food.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Friday that OK Food is recalling the food shipped nationwide that was produced between Dec. 19 and March 7, and includes the number “P-7092” inside the USDA inspection mark.
The USDA said that contamination came from metal conveyor belts and was discovered Tuesday. The agency says there have been no confirmed reports of injury, but consumers should either throw the product away or return it to the place of purchase.